Chenonceau Castle

Are you ready to explore Chenonceau castlethis jewel of the Renaissance and heritage French that rises above the Cher? You're exactly where you need to be!

This article is your ultimate guide to organizing your visit to the famous Château de La Loire. Here you'll find all the essential information you need to plan your getaway, buy your tickets, and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of this unique château, affectionately known as the "Château de la Loire". known as the "Ladies' Castle in tribute to the remarkable women of its history, such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis. Let yourself be guided!

Find out more about the Loire castles, read our detailed article here.

Plan your visit to Château de Chenonceau

Château de Chenonceau attracts many visitors, especially during the high season. To guarantee an optimal experience, it's essential to prepare your visit well. Here are a few recommendations to help you organize your stay.

The best times to visit

Accessible all year round, Château de Chenonceau offers different experiences depending on the season. It is generally advisable to avoid weekends and school vacation periods, which are very busy.

Weekdays, early mornings and late afternoons are more suitable for a peaceful visit, allowing you to fully appreciate the interior spaces and gardens, with the added advantage of bright light for your photos.

In winter, the château is decked out in festive decorations and offers special entertainment, although the gardens are less bright and the temperatures cooler. Remember to dress warmly and warm up with a hot drink in the tearoom.

Summer, on the other hand, brings out the splendor of the gardens, but be prepared for heavy crowds and possible heat. It's advisable to book your tickets in advance and come equipped with a bottle of water and a hat.

How to get there

Located in the department theIndre-et-Loirein region Centre-Val de LoireThe castle is easily accessible by car, train or bus.

By car, the A10 freeway (from Paris or Bordeaux) and the A85 motorway (from Paris or Bordeaux) are just a short drive away. Nantes or Lyon) are the main access routes. Free parking is available nearby. By train, Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station is the nearest, with bus or cab connections to the château. Organized excursions from Paris or Tours are also a convenient option for visitors.

Practical tips for a pleasant visit

To make the most of your visit, here are a few tips:

• Allow enough time to explore both the château and its gardens, allowing around 2 hours for the monument and 1 hour for the gardens. Additional time may be required for events and temporary exhibitions.
• Choose from a self-guided tour with paper guide, an audio-guide available in 11 languages, or a guided tour for a more in-depth look.
• To preserve this historic monument, please respect the visiting rules. It is forbidden to touch the works of art, to smoke, eat or drink in the château, and to take photos with flash or tripod. Photos without flash are permitted for personal use only.
• Take advantage of the services and activities on offer, including checkroom, toilets, boutique, tea room, boat trips, horse-drawn carriage rides, wine tours and evening visits.

Timetables and tickets

To plan your visit to Château de Chenonceau, it's essential to find out about opening times, prices and how to purchase tickets. Options and special offers are available to enhance your experience. Here's the information you need to plan your visit.

Opening hours

Château de Chenonceau welcomes you every day of the year, with opening times adapted to the seasons and public holidays. The times below correspond to those of the ticket office (the monument closes 30 minutes later, and the gardens 30 minutes after the monument closes):

• January 1 to 7: 9:30 a.m.
  • 18h00
  • January 8 to April 5: 9:30 a.m.
  • 16h30
  • April 6 to July 7: 9:00 a.m.
  • 18h00
  • July 8 to August 25: 9:00 a.m.
  • 19h00
  • August 26 to September 29: 9:00 a.m.
  • 18h00
  • September 30 to November 3: 9:00 a.m.
  • 17h30
  • November 4 to 8: 9:30 a.m.
  • 16h30
  • November 9 to 11: 9:00 a.m.
  • 17h30
  • November 12 to December 6: 9:30 a.m.
  • 16h30
  • December 7 to 8: 9:30 a.m.
  • 17h00
  • December 9 to 13: 9:30 a.m.
  • 16h30
  • December 14 to 15: 9:30 a.m.
  • 17h00
  • December 16 to 20: 9:30 a.m.
  • 16h30
  • December 21 to 31: 9:30 a.m.
  • 18h00

  For weekends and public holidays, online booking is compulsory. Opening times for these days are :

• Easter: March 30, 31 and April 1: 9:00 a.m.
  • 19h00
  • May 1st: 9:00 a.m.
  • 19h00
  • May 8 and Ascension: May 8, 9, 10, 11, 12: 9:00 a.m.
  • 19h00
  • Pentecost: May 18, 19 and 20: 9:00 a.m.
  • 19h00

  Ticket prices

  Prices vary according to age, status and type of visit. Below are the prices for a visit to the château and gardens, with a choice of brochure or audio-guide:

Group rates are available for more than 20 people, with advance booking required.

Free admission is available under certain conditions, in particular for disabled visitors, journalists and various professional or educational cardholders, with a €5.00 supplement for the audio-guide.

Buy your tickets in advance

Buying tickets online on the château's official website allows you to avoid queues, benefit from preferential rates and choose your date and time of visit. You can also purchase your tickets from partner sales outlets to take advantage of discounts and combined offers.

Special ticket options and offers

For an enriched experience, consider the following options:

• Guided tour: Take your discovery further with a lecturer for an additional €7.00.
• Boat trip: Admire the castle from the Cher for €10.00 to €15.00 per person.
• Horse-drawn carriage ride: Explore the estate for €6.00 per adult and €4.00 per child.
• Wine tour: Discover the vineyards and taste the wines for €25.00 per person.
• Visit under the stars: Enjoy a nocturnal visit in summer for €6.50 per adult and €4.50 per child.
• Pass Châteaux: Access to several monuments with an annual pass from €29.00 per adult.
• TripAdvisor special offer: Get 10% off by sharing your review, valid until December 31, 2024.

Parking Chateau de Chenonceau - Where to park?

The château has several parking lots:

• Main parking lot : This is the largest and closest to the castle. It is subject to a charge and is generally very busy, especially in high season.
• Additional parking lots : Additional parking lots are sometimes opened to cope with the crowds. Ask at the ticket office for details.

Not to be missed at Château de Chenonceau

The Château de Chenonceau is a treasure trove of history and beauty, offering a multitude of wonders both inside and out. Here are the must-sees that will make your visit unforgettable.

Gallery on deck

The emblem of Château de Chenonceau, the gallery on the bridge is 60 meters long and 6 meters wide, crossing the Cher on two majestic arches. Initiated by Catherine de Médicis and built on the former bridge of Diane de Poitiers, this gallery served as a reception area and passageway. It offers a spectacular view of the river and its banks, and is adorned with 18 windows and coffered ceilings, housing a precious collection of tapestries from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis

The gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis are among the château's finest attractions, reflecting the rivalry and genius of these two ladies. Situated on either side of the main dwelling and separated by a moat, these gardens are distinguished by their compositions of flower beds, boxwood, fountains and statues. Diane's garden, more extensive and uncluttered, contrasts with Catherine's garden, more intimate and elaborate.

The labyrinth and dependencies

The Château de Chenonceau park is also home to an Italian-style labyrinth designed by Catherine de Médicis. Planted with 2,000 yew trees, this 70-metre square garden features a gazebo at its center, offering a panoramic view of the green maze. A place to stroll and relax, the estate also includes former 16th-century outbuildings, now transformed into a floral workshop, carriage gallery and donkey park.

Historically furnished interiors

The interiors of Château de Chenonceau are an immersion in history, furnished and decorated with period pieces. They pay tribute to the illustrious women who have shaped its history, such as Katherine Briçonnet, Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Médicis, and many others. Spaces such as Diane de Poitiers' bedroom, Catherine de Médicis' bedroom, through to the kitchen, dining room and chapel, are all invitations to travel back in time.

Interior of Château de Chenonceau: a kitchen adapted to grandeur

The kitchen at Château de Chenonceau was the beating heart of this vast estate. Designed to feed a large court and distinguished guests, it was equipped with the most modern tools and materials of the time.

• Impressive dimensions: To meet the needs of such a home, the kitchen was vast and divided into several areas: food preparation, cooking, baking...
• Sophisticated equipment for its time: There were bread ovens, rotisseries, copper kettles, solid wood worktables and many other utensils.
• Meticulous organization: Tasks were divided among a large, qualified staff, under the supervision of a maître d'hôtel.

Cuisine at the Service of Gastronomy

The château's kitchen was much more than just a place for preparing meals. It was also a creative space where cooks put their skills to work to create refined and surprising dishes of the French gastronomy. Recipes were often inspired by produce from the château's kitchen garden and local markets.

• Seasonal cuisine: Menus were adapted to the seasons, highlighting fresh, high-quality produce.
• Refined dishes: The château's cooks were true artists, capable of creating dishes as beautiful as they were delicious.
• An Italian influence: As the chateau was built partly under Italian influence, its cuisine also bore the traces of this, with lighter dishes and the use of a variety of spices.

A Kitchen that Evolves with the Times

Over the centuries, château cuisine has evolved, as have tastes and lifestyles. However, it has always retained its unique character and its close link with the château's history.

History of Château de Chenonceau

In the beginning

The first part of the château was built in the 12th century; however, it does not have an elevated bridge over the Cher. The château is now owned by the Marques family. The château was rebuilt in the 15th century, this time on the banks of the Cher.

The new castle

At the end of the 10th century, the château was purchased by an aristocratic family from Tours, and more specifically by Thomas Bohier, a statesman with close ties to the monarchy. And so it was that Thomas Bohier and his wife, Katherine Briconnet, take on major projectsStarting with the demolition of the former castle, and building the castle as it stands today.

After the death of Chenonceau's owner, the château was handed over to the king. However, François ^Ist did not undertake any work at Chenonceau. It was during the reign of Henri II's son that things changed.In 1547, he offered the Château de Chenonceau to his beloved Diane de Poitiers.

Le chateau des dames

Diane de Poitiers

In 1556, Diane de Poitiers decided to build a bridge to enable him to enjoy the gardens and forest on the other side of the Cher. Construction was completed in 1559. Château de Chenonceau Chenonceau was returned to the French crown following the intervention of Catherine de Médicis.

Catherine de Medici

A few years later, Catherine de Médicis was responsible for the construction of the gardens and the château, and organized events within the château. Finally, she was responsible for the construction of the galleries in 1576, built atop the Pont de Diane, which give the Château de Chenonceau its unique appearance. Catherine de Médicis died in 1598, leaving behind a number of debts and much unfinished work.

Louise de Lorraine

Louise de Lorraine, widow of King Henri III of France, assassinated in 1598, became owner of the château and dressed it in black in response to her grief. For this reason Louise de Lorraine is known as "the white lady of Chenonceau". Following financial difficulties, the château became the property of César de Vendôme and Françoise de Lorraine after the death of Louise de Lorraine.

Marie de Luxembourg

After further formalities, the château was handed over to the Duchess of Mercoeur, Marie de Luxembourg, who began renovation work in 1603. The Duchess died in 1623. A succession of owners followed, before Louis-Henri de Bourbon Conde sold the estate to farmer-general Claude Dupin in 1733.

Claude Dupin wife Louise de Fontaine hosted a literary salon at the Château de Chenonceau, where she met leading figures from the Age of Enlightenment, including Rousseau, Montesquieu and Voltaire. The Dupin couple also carried out extensive restoration work, giving Chenonceau its former prestige.

The 19th century

Visit Château de Chenonceau undergoes major transformations in the 19th century under the direction of architect Félix Roguet, at the request of new owner Marguerite Wilson, wife of Pelouze. She also installed the Académie des Arts et des Lettres. After many years of work and debts, the château became the property of Crédit Financier. It was then sold to the Terry family, then auctioned in 1913, before being sold to the Menier family. During the First World War, the estate was used as a hospital for soldiers, and was damaged during the Second World War.

The 20th century

The château is currently under the control of the Menier family. Major restoration work was carried out in 2009.

Conclusion

It goes without saying that the Château de Chenonceau is an essential stopover for anyone visiting the Centre-Val de Loire region. This historic monument transports you through time and history with its luxurious interiors, breathtaking gardens, exceptional gallery and diverse animations. It also highlights the outstanding female figures who have shaped its history, such as Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Médicis and Louise Dupin.

Don't delay, book your ticket online today and take advantage of available promotions to discover the Château de Chenonceau, nicknamed the "Ladies' Castle". It's an experience you won't regret!

FAQ

Which king lived at Château de Chenonceau?

Henri II, King of France, once resided at Château de Chenonceau. He gave it to Diane de Poitiers, his favorite, who enriched the estate by building the famous bridge over the Cher and the gardens in her name.

Who is the current owner of Château de Chenonceau?

The Château de Chenonceau has belonged to the Menier family since 1913. Laure Menier Brasilier has been in charge since 2002, carrying on the family legacy.

Why visit Chenonceau?

Chenonceau is a Renaissance landmark, remarkable for its unique architecture. The château also boasts a fascinating history, intimately linked to the illustrious women who inhabited and embellished it, such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis.

Which river flows through the Château de Chenonceau?

The Château de Chenonceau is a monument crossed by the Cher, a picturesque tributary of the Loire. This river meanders through the departments of Cher, Indre and Indre-et-Loire, adding to the majesty of the estate.